Starbucks Holiday Drinks Have Arrived—Here’s How to Order Vegan

Every November, Starbucks celebrates the holiday season with its annual drop of festive drinks, and this year is no different. Keep reading for the chain’s vegan-friendly offerings available this holiday season. 

Jump to the drinks

Starbucks’ dairy-free milk options

Nearly three decades ago, Starbucks introduced its very first dairy-free milk option: soy milk. Today, the range of alternative milks offered at the coffee giant has expanded significantly, with oat, almond, and coconut now available on the menu, in addition to soy. 

Until last year, North American consumers were charged an additional cost when opting for a dairy-free milk. But now, customers can opt for non-dairy milks, which research suggests are better for the planet and human health, without incurring an additional cost. 

“Core to the Starbucks experience is the ability to customize your beverage to make it yours,” Starbucks CEO and chairman Brian Niccol said in November 2024. “By removing the extra charge for non-dairy milks, we’re embracing all the ways our customers enjoy their Starbucks.”

Does Starbucks have vegan food?

When it comes to Starbucks’ holiday bakery items, most options are made with animal ingredients. But, if you’re looking for some substance to go with your holiday beverage, a few of Starbucks’ year-round basics are sure to keep you fueled in between meals.

Starbucks

RELATED: Here’s What to Order From Starbucks’ Fall Menu

Without fail, plant-based eaters can rely on plain and everything bagels; oatmeal (when ordered with hot water or non-dairy milk); and a selection of bananas. The chain does offer an Impossible Breakfast Sandwich; however, this is served with eggs and cheese, so it’s not vegan. But there is another, more substantial option: the vegan Spicy Falafel Pocket, which comes with smashed falafel, hummus, roasted peppers, pickled onions, and spicy herb sauce.

Starbucks also briefly tested Miyoko’s single-serve cream cheese in 2020, but we’ve yet to see that come to fruition at scale. If you need a schmear for your bagel, the Avocado Spread is your best bet. 

Vegan holiday drinks at Starbucks

During the holidays, Starbucks becomes a destination. The festive atmosphere picks us up with more than just caffeine. As commercial as it is, we just can’t help feeling a bit merrier with a red cup and a vegan holiday beverage in our hand. Here are the vegan Starbucks drinks to try this holiday season.

Starbucks 

1Iced Sugar Cookie Latte (hot or iced)

Introduced in November 2021, this festive drink is made with Starbucks’ signature Blonde espresso and sugar cookie-flavored syrup and is topped with red and green sprinkles. Based on this description, it seems cloyingly sweet, but if you opt for unsweetened almond milk, it balances it out quite nicely. You can also order the beverage with oat, soy, or coconut milk, too. If you tend to stray away from iced coffee during the cold months, you can also order the latte hot to keep you warm and cozy.

Barista tip: Ask for a long shot of espresso or even a full extra shot if you prefer a stronger coffee taste with just a hint of holiday flavor.

Starbucks

2 Peppermint Mocha (hot or iced)

There is nothing cozier than walking around looking at holiday lights with a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha in hand. The mocha sauce is vegan, so all you need to do is nix the whip and ask to remove the dark chocolate curls, as both contain dairy.  Request soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk, and rejoice in no longer paying the vegan milk surcharge. 

Barista tip: The drink is made with both mocha and peppermint syrups, making it very sweet. As Starbucks’ soy milk is also very sweet, opt for almond or oat milk. 

Starbucks

3 Chestnut Praline Latte (hot or iced)

It’s been five years since the Holiday Spice drink was discontinued, and while we’re still in mourning, the Chestnut Praline Latte is a small consolation. It has a spiced, almost buttery flavor and a delightful spiced sugar and toffee topping we’d like to sprinkle on everything. Order it vegan with your favorite non-dairy milk (we love it with soy or almond) and ask for no whipped cream.

Important note: the Chestnut Praline Latte isn’t available yet, but Starbucks has confirmed it will return later this holiday season.

Barista tip: You can add a taste of the holiday season without ordering a super-sweet drink. Ask for a soy milk latte with the Chestnut Praline topping. It cuts back on the sugar while keeping the warm praline flavors. 

Starbucks

4 Cinnamon Dolce Latte (hot or iced)

This item never leaves the menu, but the warming cinnamon spices beckon feelings of merriment. Easily transform this drink into a vegan-friendly option by swapping in your favorite non-dairy milk and asking for no whipped cream or cinnamon dolce topping (it contains dairy). 

Barista tip: Experiencing a hot day in December? Order iced or as a blended Frappuccino, hold the whip. 

@veganeatsstockholm | Instagram

5
Hot Chocolate 

Gussy up a standard hot chocolate with the flavors of the season. Remember to omit dairy and ask for your plant milk of choice. Enjoy as is or liven it up with either hazelnut, cinnamon dolce, caramel, or toffee nut syrup and hold the whip. 

Barista tip: If you’re wondering, the caramel syrup is vegan, but the caramel drizzle is not. We’re baffled, too. 

Starbucks

6London Fog Tea Latte With Nutmeg (hot)

Trick out your typical tea latte by asking your barista to top your drink with a sprinkle of nutmeg. The warm spice will bring out the vanilla flavors of this mixed drink and add a layer of warm fuzzies to your morning.

Barista tip: This is really exceptional with oat milk.

Starbucks

7 Iced Hazelnut Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

This drink is available all year round, but hazelnuts are a perfect wintery nut, which makes them an ideal addition to an Iced Oatmilk Shaken Espresso this holiday season. It’s already dairy-free, made with Blonde Espresso roast, hazelnut syrup, and oat milk, so there’s no need to make any modifications.

Barista tip: Love the taste of hazelnut? Ask for an extra pump of syrup.

Starbucks dairy-free holiday cold foams

Last year, dairy-free cold foams in seasonal flavors joined Starbucks’ line of festive drinks. This year, they’re back. The handful of non-dairy options includes Gingerbread Cream, Peppermint Chocolate Cream, and Sugar Cookie Cream.

Starbucks

Not all holiday drinks can be made vegan

Although most of Starbucks’ beverages can be made vegan with a few simple swaps, this isn’t always the case. Despite its seemingly vegan-friendly namesake, the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai contains chai tea concentrate that includes honey. It cannot be removed, and therefore cannot be made without animal ingredients.

Starbucks

Additionally, the Caramel Brulée Latte obtains its signature flavor using a caramel brulée sauce that includes dairy, and as such, it cannot be made vegan. The Iced Sugar Cookie Breve also isn’t an option, as it’s made with dairy-based half-and-half.

Despite these drinks, vegans can enjoy Starbucks’ seasonal sips with several beverage options—some of which require no modification.